Plans for a five-storey student block withdrawn – but only temporarily

Plans for a five-storey student accommodation complex on the site of the former Shepherd Construction headquarters in York have been withdrawn.

But developers say the design of the scheme, which would see Frederick House on Fulford Road demolished and replaced with flats for 440 students, will be altered and resubmitted.

Fishergate councillor Dave Taylor said residents have concerns over the scale of the buildings and he will meet with the developer to discuss the plans.

A spokesman for Summix, the owners of the site, said:

• Following discussions with the council, and consultation responses received, we have agreed the best approach to progress the development is to withdraw the planning application, amend the design, and resubmit it in the coming weeks.

  With the likelihood of York Central being decided at March’s planning committee and the local elections in May, we didn’t think that the original application could be decided within the statutory determination period, which has also informed this decision.

  We remain committed to regenerating this significant brownfield site and delivering a high-quality new student community here.
  

Revised scheme

Changes had already been made to the original plans in response to a consultation with residents, including reducing the height and also the number of bedrooms – from 450 to 440.

Cllr Dave Taylor said: “It appears that the developer will resubmit a revised scheme and aim to proceed with the project, but I will meet the company further to see how noise nuisance and the impact on parking can be reduced to a more acceptable level.

“I shall also be interested to hear how the developer will respond to the many neighbours’ objections about the scale of the development.”